Day 3 of the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season in Indian Wells will feature the debut of many of the seeds, including Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. It should feature plenty of interesting matchups as you have such unseeded players as former Slam semifinalist Lucas Pouille and former World #1 Andy Murray. We predict all the matches, split between several articles. Our other articles feature Jannik Sinner vs Thanasi Kokkinakis, Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Constant Lestienne, and Carlos Alcaraz vs Matteo Arnaldi. But who will advance?
ATP Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Lucas Pouille vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 3-0 Pouille
Tsitsipas has been struggling a lot lately and is having a terrible 2024, even losing to de Minaur, who he lead 11-0 in head-to-head prior to their Acapulco match. Even so, he should still be in a better place than Pouille, who’s currently ranked #273 and hasn’t really done much in a long time. Even if Pouille has shown a decent level in qualifying and the first round here, Tsitsipas should be able to prevail.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Alexander Zverev vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: Zverev 1-1 O’Connell
After the disappointment of just barely missing out on a final spot at the Australian Open, Zverev had very lackluster performances in Mexico and will try to get his season back on track in the California desert. This hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for him though–it is in fact the only Masters 1000 in which the German has failed to reach a semifinal so far in his career. He usually doesn’t play very well here, but he should have enough to overcome O’Connell.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Ben Shelton vs Jakub Mensik
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mensik has been having quite the breakthrough run this year, with an excellent performance at the Australian Open, only losing to Hurkacz in five sets followed by a sensational run to the final in Dubai. Shelton, however, is one of the most promising young Americans on tour and playing at home here he should have the slight edge over his even younger opponent.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray
Head-to-head: Rublev 1-1 Murray
Indian Wells is actually one of only two (the other being Monte Carlo) Masters 1000 events that Murray has failed to win in his illustrious career. He has never played his best tennis at this event and is unlikely to have a big run here at this stage of his career. That said, he played at a very good level to beat Goffin in the first round and Rublev might not be at his best after the debacle in Dubai, so this might well end up being a very tightly contested match.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
